[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 146 (Wednesday, October 14, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S12593-S12594]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 IN SUPPORT OF SUBSTITUTE TO H.R. 3433

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, I rise today in support of the amendment 
in the form of a substitute to H.R. 3433.
  Many people with disabilities who have been out of the workforce are 
eager to return to work. However, because of the risks of losing cash 
benefits and health insurance provided through the Social Security 
Disability Insurance program and the Supplemental Security Income 
program many beneficiaries are discouraged from entering or re-entering 
the workforce. The intent of these programs was never to demoralize or 
dishearten Americans who are ready, willing and able to work. We must 
look at ways to overcome this attitude.
  Thanks to the disability reform proposal developed by Senator 
Jeffords and Senator Kennedy many of the barriers facing people with 
disabilities will be addressed. Several provisions in the Jeffords-
Kennedy substitute to H.R. 3433 tackle the problems of loss of cash 
benefits and health insurance which can prevent beneficiaries from 
being able to support themselves once they begin working. The 
substitute legislation would provide working individuals with 
disabilities access to additional services under the Medicaid program, 
such as personal assistance and prescription drugs. These services are 
vital to many people on SSDI and SSI. Furthermore, this proposal would 
provide improved access to rehabilitation opportunities for 
beneficiaries of both the SSI and SSDI programs.
  The most encouraging parts of this proposal are those that eliminate 
work disincentives and facilitate self-sufficiency among those with 
disabilities. This legislation prohibits using work activity as the 
only basis for triggering a continuing disability review. Moreover, the 
proposal put forth by my colleagues, Senator Jeffords and Senator 
Kennedy, would expedite the process of eligibility determinations of 
individuals who have been on disability insurance but who lost it 
because they were working. Also, the Jeffords-Kennedy substitute 
creates incentives for both disabled beneficiaries and providers of 
vocational rehabilitation to secure jobs for those who want to work. It 
is my hope that this will eliminate shuffling these people from 
vocational rehabilitation programs to state programs without them being 
able to make any real progress.
  Finally, I want to say how glad I am to see that a component of the 
Jeffords-Kennedy substitute includes a proposal to ensure that local 
prisoners will not receive Social Security Disability Insurance 
benefits. I sponsored legislation in the beginning of the 105th 
Congress to prevent this needless waste of taxpayer dollars by closing 
a loophole in the law. Criminals should not be allowed to ``double 
dip'' and receive Federal money earmarked for the purchase of food and 
clothing while they are part of a prison system which provides these 
necessities already. This proposal would protect the financial 
soundness of the Social Security Disability Insurance program for the 
people it is meant to assist.
  The work Senator Jeffords and Senator Kennedy have put forth on this 
bill characterizes the bipartisanship necessary to pass the proposal 
into law. I am glad to lend my support to

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the Senate substitute legislation to H.R. 3433. I look forward to 
passage of this legislation.

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